Chapter 6.0: Rescue Techniques 1 - Frostburg State University

that the victim will be found on the outside of a bend in the river where the current is stronger than on the inside of the bend where it is shallower and the current is less strong. Known hazards such as strainers and undercut rocks are likely collectors of victims and are a likely place to search. Using Figure 6.2 as an example, a raft dumps two passengers in a large breaking wave at the top of the rapids (LKP). The one passenger drifts downstream toward river left and is picked up by another raft on the inside of the bend at the bottom of the rapids. The other passenger drifts downstream with the current. The PLS was determined by one of the passengers in another raft who thought he saw the victim above the tight bend in the river. The importance of determining the PLS is that it focuses the search on the most likely place to begin the search. Based on the PLS, the first area to be searched is area (a). Based on the river currents and known hazards present, a hasty search discussed in the next section can be conducted immediately. A second area in which to conduct a search is area (b). This assumes the victim was swept through the rapids and further downstream. Also, remember that the victim would float past the raft situated in the eddy on river right without being noticed. After a search of area (a) and (b), area [c] and (d) may also be included. Area [c] is on the inside of the bend where it is shallower and where the current tends to be moving toward river right than river left. Area (d) is above the PLS site and less likely to have the victim. It depends on the strength of the those who determined the PLS. If it is weak, this area may be included earlier in the search. c Hasty Search – As the name implies, the purpose of a hasty search is to perform a quick search in the most likely area where the victim is most likely to be found. Its emphasis is on speed. If personnel are available, it may be conducted simultaneously with determining the PLS. Searchers should use the buddy system where the buddies are in close visual contact with each other. In a swiftwater rescue situation, the hasty search is influenced by river dynamics, known hazards and if readily determined, by the PLS. Returning to Figure 6.2, the main current plows into the river bend at the bottom of the rapids before exiting river left. Also, there is a known hazard of undercut rocks on the bend. A drifting passenger is very likely to become entangled in the undercut rocks on the bend. Even without identifying the PLS, area (a) would be a logical location to search for the victim since the river current would normally sweep a person into the eddies and undercut rocks located on the bend of the river. If the water is deep, paddles or sticks could be used to locate an underwater victim. c Take Care of Non-searchers – If there are passengers on a commercial trip or people in a private boating group who are not involved in the search, make sure they are in a safe and secure area. If needed, have someone supervise them. You don’t want a second victim. b Search Techniques Summary – This section addresses a niche in swiftwater rescue. Often, but not always the victim is readily found and the rescue can begin. However, there are instances where the victim needs to be found first before the rescue can be performed. This section adapts basic search techniques and protocols to swiftwater rescue situations. Chapter 6.0: Rescue Techniques Copyrighted Robert B. Kauffman, 2018 page 6.4

Safety and Prevention – Throw Bags Safety and prevention is interwoven throughout the manual. Wearing wetsuits, drysuits and paddling jackets covered in the previous chapter on safety is an example of safety and prevention. The same can be said of most of the equipment in Chapter 2. This section includes a discussion of throw bags. Throw bags come in many sizes and shapes. One of the main determinants for selecting a throw bag is to ask yourself the Figure 6.3: Anatomy of a Throw Bag – Caption: Throw bags come in may sizes following question. “Will you and shapes. The bag diagramed is a typical bag used by the author. Remember to take it with you at all times?” If choose a bag that you will carry with you. Source: Author – [file: \BAGAnatomyThrowbag.cdr] you don’t have it with you, you can’t use it. The bag may be one like the author’s pictured in Figure 6.3, a hip belt, or a small hand bag. Regardless, the first and most important rule is that the throw bag is of no use if it isn’t with you. b Anatomy of a Throw Bag (Figure 6.3) – The design of a throw bag is relatively straightforward. The rope is stored in the bag. One end is knotted and passes out the bottom end of the bag into a loop. The other end of the rope passes out the opening in the top of the bag. When the bag is thrown, the rope in the bag feeds out through the opening in the bag. The following sections discuss the items identified in Figure 6.3. b Types of Ropes (Figure 6.4) – Generally, two types of ropes are used in swiftwater rescues. These are braided and static kernmantle ropes. Static kernmantle is preferred. Generally, in river situations, a kernmantle static rope constructed using Spectra rope is preferred over a braided throw Chapter 6.0: Rescue Techniques Copyrighted Robert B. Kauffman, 2018 Figure 6.4: Typical Throw Bag Rope Types – Caption: There are many different types of rope construction. Typically, throw bags use either a braided or static kernmantle rope. Source: Author – [file: \BAG-RopeTypes.cdr] page 6.5

rope. Spectra floats and is as strong as steel. Unlike nylon, it has little stretch even when wet. A less expensive rope that floats uses polypropylene. Polypropylene has less tensile strength. Also, it is often used as the mantle layer surrounding the Spectra kern. b Stuffing a Throw Bag (Figure 6.5) – There are many different ways to re-stuff throw bags. The method presented in Figure 6.5 was used by an employee whose job it was to stuff throw bags for sale. It was the method he used to stuff hundreds of bag for sale. The key to stuffing the throw bag is to randomly stuff the rope into the bag. DO NOT COIL THE ROPE, it will only become entangled. There have been numerous tests performed and randomly stuffing the rope into the bag results in the least chance or the rope becoming entangled when the bag is thrown. As a footnote, may graphic artists incorrectly draw a neatly coiled rope in the throw bag. This is incorrect. The recommended method of re-stuffing a throw bag is as follows. Open the end of the throw bag. Hold the bag open using the middle finger of each Figure 6.5: Stuffing a Throw Bag – Caption: There are many ways to stuff a throw bag. This method was used by an employee who stuffed hundreds of throw bags for hand. The fourth and fifth sale. Source: Author – [file: \BAG-StuffingThrowbag.cdr] fingers may be used also but most people will find using the middle fingers most comfortable. This frees up the first finger and thumb to grasp and stuff the rope. Place the rope over the shoulder. The life jacket prevents the rope from slipping off the shoulder. With the thumb and first finger, grasp the rope and thrust it downward into the bag. At the same time, the other hand repositions itself up the rope. In a hand-over-hand motion, stuff the rope into the bag. If the rope needs to be settled in the bag to create more room for rope, quickly drop the bag five to six inches so that the inertia of the rope will pack it snugly into the bag. b Throwing Throw Bag – There are three approaches to throwing a throw bag. These are the underhand, sidearm an overhand approaches. All can be use effectively. Generally, the farthest throws occur underhand. When standing in knee deep or deeper water or when standing in a raft, the underhand throw may become impractical and a side arm or overhand throw will need to be used. Practice all three methods and determine which works best in different situations. Rather than throwing the entire bag, a second alternative is pull line from the bag, coil it and throw the coil. The bag remains in the boat. Generally, most of the throws from a raft are less than 20 feet from the boat. This is because most swimming victims remain in close proximity to the raft. Chapter 6.0: Rescue Techniques Copyrighted Robert B. Kauffman, 2018 page 6.6

Self-rescue – Swimming Falling out of the raft is not an uncommon experience. Rafters and passengers should be familiar with defensive and aggressive swimming and the back ferry in the following sections. In most cases, the guide will provide swimming instructions to passengers. It may be to look for the raft and swim toward it where the guide will pickup any swimmers. Or, it may be swim to the shore. Relevant hazards such as strainers or undercut rocks should be noted by the guide also. This author paddles R-1 in his Shredder. Around the rear tube is a nine foot NRS strap used to fasten the spare paddle. Roughly four feet in length, its tail is left floating in the water. Others note the dragging tail in the water. It serves the purpose that the author can tow the raft by the tail after falling out of the raft and swimming to shore. It serves this purpose quite well. An no, it doesn’t become entangled. b Defensive Swimming (Figure 6.6 and Figure 6.7) – In defensive swimming, the swimmer floats on her back with her feet on the surface and pointing downstream. If the swimmer wants to move laterally or across the current, she rotates her body so that is no longer parallel with the current and uses her arms to back paddle. Back paddling at an angle against the current executes the basic back ferry. Also, it slows the downstream movement of the swimmer. Both are good outcomes. b Aggressive Swimming (Figure 6.6) – Aggressive swimming is the crawl stroke with the head up out of the water as much as possible so that the swimmer can see where she is swimming. When swimming, the emphasis is on pulling the swimmer through the water with the arms. Excessive kicking uses more energy than the propulsion it provides. As might be expected, there is often a controversy regarding which method is better, which method is faster, or which method is safer. Generally, defensive swimming uses less energy, and the swimmer moves slower in the water. The butt absorbs hits and often Figure 6.6: Defensive and Aggressive Swimming – Source: Author – [file: \SWR-DefensiveAggressiveSwimming] there is a tendency for the butt to hang down in the water because of the sitting position. Also with defensive swimming, the swimmer has a broader view of the waterscape. However, if the swimmer wants to get from one point to another quickly, aggressive swimming will do it. Also, when using the swiftwater entry, the swimmer enters the water in position for aggressive swimming. For these reasons, the two swimming methods are used interchangeably as a changing situation demands. Chapter 6.0: Rescue Techniques Copyrighted Robert B. Kauffman, 2018 page 6.7

b Back Ferrying (Figure 6.7) – The back ferry is a fundamental technique used to maneuver a swimmer or boat in moving water. In fact, most swimmers in the defensive swimming mode intuitively preform the back ferry. In a canoe, kayak or raft, the back ferry occurs with the bow of the boat pointing downstream and with the boater facing downstream. This differentiates it from the forward ferry where the bow is point upstream. Similarly, for the defensive swimmer, the feet or bow is pointing downstream and the defensive swimmer is facing downstream also. Also, the back paddling of the swimmer has the same effect as reverse strokes used in a canoe, kayak or raft. Hence, the defensive swimmer in defensive swimming mode is back ferrying. Also, it is why this section is titled back ferrying. To perform a back ferry, the swimmer must do two things. First, the swimmer points her head toward Figure 6.7: Back Ferry – Source: Author – [file: \SWR-BackFerry.jpg] the shore where she wants to go. This creates an angle with the main current. Her body is no longer parallel with the current. Second, the defensive swimmer back paddles with her arms. Back paddling at an angle against the current creates both a horizontal and vertical force. The vertical force slows the swimmer in the current and the horizontal component moves the swimmer toward the shore to which the head is pointing. This method of moving laterally or across the current is a back ferry. The simple instructions to passengers is to back paddle toward where you want to go. Self-rescue – Rafts Self-rescue is defined as what the boater can do to rescue themselves. The simple but important self-rescue technique of high siding is easily overlooked as a self-rescue technique. It is no different than an Eskimo roll for a kayaker. Other self-rescue techniques included in this section include aggressive and passive swimming, and selfreentry into a raft. For the sake of discussion, self-rescue includes the rescue of other in your raft. Rescue by others in your group is defined as rescue by other rafts in your group. b High Siding (Figure 6.8) – High Siding is a self-rescue technique. When the raft becomes pinned broadside on a rock, the Chapter 6.0: Rescue Techniques Copyrighted Robert B. Kauffman, 2018 Figure 6.8: High Siding – High siding is a self-rescue technique where everyone on the upstream side moves to the downstream side of raft pinned on a rock. The strategy is that the upstream tube will float and not be pinned. Source: author – [file: \HighSide.cdr] page 6.8

current attempts to catch the upstream side of the raft and thoroughly pin the raft on the rock. If passengers remain on the upstream tube, they can potentially fall into the water as the tube is pulled underneath the water. In addition, their weight on the tube helps to submerge the tube and pin the raft. The strategy of high siding is to move everyone to the high side which is the downstream tube pinned against the rock. This enables the upstream tube to break the surface. Once it breaks the surface the current will go under the raft rather than over the tube. This makes the extrication of the raft off the rock much easier. Figure 6.9: Self-reentry – Grab onto the perimeter line with both hands, kick hard and role into the raft. Source: author [file: \ReentrySelf.cdr] High siding is a skill that should be practiced as part of the guide’s training of the crew. At minimum, it should be verbal. In practice, the passengers can practice it. An alternative is that the guide can demonstrate it. High siding is reactive and when the command is given, there is little time for passengers to think about what they need to do. They need to do it. So consider a demonstration and actually practicing it as part of the guide’s pre-trip preparations. b Self-reentry (Figure 6.9) – Self-reentry is dependent, in part, on the type of raft and how it is outfitted. If the raft is outfitted with a perimeter line, the person in the water can hoist themself up and onto the tube. The person can kick with their feet and gain some extra momentum. Boaters paddling Shredders or similar boats can proceed to the stern, loop one leg over one of the tubes, and hoist themselves into the raft. A third option is to use the flip line or webbing to create a stirrup to aid in stepping into the raft. b Assisted Reentry (Figure 6.10) – It is not uncommon for passengers to fall out of the raft. Some can reenter themselves using the perimeter line to hoist themselves over the side of the tube. Most people will need or appreciate assistance. First, make sure there are no other hazards or dangers present. If need be, wait until after the drop and then pull the swimmer into the boat. Next, the swimmer should face the tube. They can assist by hoisting themselves using the perimeter line. Normally, it is recommended that the rescuer grab the swimmer under the arm pits and lift them into the boat. As a practical matter this is easier said than done and presents some disadvantages. First, it is Chapter 6.0: Rescue Techniques Copyrighted Robert B. Kauffman, 2018 Figure 6.10: Assisted Reentry – Holding onto the should straps of the swimmer, lean backwards and use your body weight to pull the swimmer into the raft. Source: Author – [file: \RSReentryAssisted.cdr] page 6.9

difficult to get a good grasp underneath the armpits. Next, it requires bending over which encourages lifting with the back. In contrast, grabbing the life jacket shoulder straps is easy, convenient and easier to lift without using the back. If the swimmer is lifted using the life jacket, visually, make sure that when the victim is hoisted, the life jacket will not come off. When pulling the swimmer into the raft. The rescuer should use his/her weight to pull the swimmer into the raft. Step backwards to prevent falling over in the raft. This will result in less strain on the back. b Flipping a Raft (Figure 6.11) – Flipping a raft is best practiced in a safe flatwater stretch. Be sure there is adequate depth. The first step is for one or more rafters to climb back on top of the overturned raft. Several methods may be used. The rafter can use the perimeter line to hoist him/herself over the tube. Sometimes the rafter can climb over the end of the raft. The rocker of an overturned raft creates a sloping bottom. If needed a sling can be attached to a D-ring creating a step. Once on top the overturned raft, the rafter can attach a flip line to one of the D-rings on the Figure 6.11: Flipping a Raft – Climb onto the overturned raft. side tube of the raft. If easier, the flip line can Attach a flip line to the side tube. Lean backwards on the other tube be attached to the perimeter line. The flip line and flip the raft. Climb back into the raft. Source: author – [file: is ten feet of webbing worn like a belt around \FlipRaft.cdr] the waist. It is buckled together using one or two carabiners. The flip line should fit snugly around the waist to prevent snagging and entrapment. Some rafters will have a flip line pre-attached to the side tube. It is a mini-throw bag with ten to fifteen feet on line in it. Before climbing up onto the raft, the line is tossed over the raft. It can be used to assist in reentering the raft. Standing on the side tube and as pictured in Figure 6.11), the rafter leans backward against the taught flip line. As the rafter falls backwards into the water, the weight of the rafter and the thrust of the feet inward on the side tube flips the raft over and right side up. Depending on the size of the rafter and the raft, flipping the raft may require more than one person. Using one of the methods of reentry, the rafter needs to reenter the raft. Depending on the situation, it should be noted that it may be easier to paddle the raft to shore upside down where it can be righted. Rescue of Others in Your Group – Wading Rescues Rescues of others in your group include the rescues of other rafts in the group. It should be noted that some of the rescues techniques in the self-rescue section are applicable to this section also. If another raft on the trip uses the assisted reentry to haul in a passenger from another raft, the reentry falls into this group. Chapter 6.0: Rescue Techniques Copyrighted Robert B. Kauffman, 2018 page 6.10

The ACA Rafting course lists several suggested rescue techniques. Most of the items in this section were borrowed from the Swiftwater Rescue Manual. Wading and entrapment skills are always worthwhile skills to know. b Solo Wading with a Paddle (Figure 6.12) – The river bottom is rocky and uneven. A three-legged stool is very stable, even on an uneven floor. The three legs create triangulation and the stool easily adjusts to the unevenness. Solo wading with a paddle creates the Figure 6.12: Solo Wading with a Paddle The paddle and two legs of the wader triangulate same type of stable and create a stable base in the water. Source: author – [file:\SWM-WadeSolo.cdr] triangulation using the paddle and the two legs of the wader. Triangulating with a paddle can create the stability provided by a three-legged stool on an uneven river bottom. To move in the water using this technique, place the tip of the blade on the river bottom. The current will force the blade downward which helps to keep the blade fixed to the river bottom. This makes the paddle very stable. Using the paddle for stability, the wader can move laterally in the water. Avoid crossing the feet since this reduces stability. When the feet are stable, reposition the paddle. Repositioning the paddle can be done two ways. The paddle can simply be lifted out of the water and replaced where it is wanted. This works well in shallow water, but becomes cumbersome in waist deep water. Also, this can lead to instability since the third leg of the triangle is removed, if only briefly. The second method is to feather the blade of the paddle and use the force of the current to move the paddle in reposition

It does not include extended searches by rescue squads. The section draws upon three sources: (Kauffman and Moiseichik, 2013, Ch.10; Setnicka, T., 1980; Stoffel, R., 2001). To a certain extent, the materials used are adapted from land base techniques. b Search and Rescue Phases (Figure xx01) - In a normal search and rescue operation there .